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For Adult Victims Of Childhood Abuse, Obesity Is Common

Emilio Labrador via Flickr

Both emotional stress and a desire to divert the attention of men drive many victims of child sexual abuse to become obese or develop eating disorders, according to a recent report in The Atlantic. If they lose weight through diet or exercise, these women often gain it back. Experts say to make a permanent change to a healthily weight, you need to address the underlying trauma, but resources for psychological and psychiatric treatment are limited.

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Abused as Children, Obese as Adults Victims of childhood sexual abuse are far more likely to become obese adults. New research shows that early trauma is so damaging that it can disrupt a person's entire psychology and metabolism.